Cannonball, ND – While there is certainly no lack of blame to go around as to who is responsible for the standoff taking place at Standing Rock, numerous specific government officials are directly responsible for turning the peaceful protest in something resembling a militarized war zone.

The increased militarism on the part of the state began when North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple declared a state of emergency in response to the growing protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier then utilized the Emergency Management Assistance compact to call on law enforcement agencies in six states surrounding North Dakota – with numerous police agencies from neighboring states responding.

Last Thursday, the heavily militarized police engaged in a violent raid on the “Treaty Camp” — which saw over 140 people arrested — using heavy weapons, rubber bullets, chemical weapons and armored police tanks. The vicious assault was caught on video by many of the water protectors and journalists covering the protests.

Less than a week later, law enforcement again responded violently – this time to water protectors attempting to build a wooden footbridge across a creek linking a Native encampment and the Dakota Access Pipeline construction area for a prayer ceremony.
Read the rest at Free Thought Project.